Replace one sick behavior with another

[Hannah]

Hi everyone,
I am 27 & have been a face picker since the age of 16. I've tried
everything to try to quit for many years now. I have been surfing face picking web sights for the past several months. I've been on a mission like never before to stop this self destruction to my face. My times of weakness have always been in the evening after work during my unwinding time either in front of the computer or the TV.
I've tried stress beads, big rings, gloves & mental focus to just not put my hands on my face, but my hands always insist on having to touch my face...whether I be conscious of it or not. Face picking is an additive behavior & stress outlet...I found a new additive behavior & stress outlet to replace it with & so far it has been working for me.
A pair of cotton gloves helped to protect my face from my fingernails, but my hands felt imprisoned & hot & the gloves were a burden when trying to type or cook & etc. Anyways, I liked the softness of the gloves so I got the bright idea to dig through my sewing bag of fabric scraps. I found a little square of velvet fabric. I carried it with me into the living room plopped down on the sofa & held the fabric to my face. My rule was if my hands have to touch my face then they have to touch it using the velvet fabric...& it was a rule I could live with because I love the softness of it sooooo much. Also, the fabric smelled like vanilla candles which were in the same bag with my fabric scraps. So the combination of softness & aromatherapy has done wonders for me. I still touch my face like a maniac, but only with the velvet vanilla cloth & I now crave this sensation for my stress outlet rather than the burning sensation from my fingernails. So far this has been working for me for a solid 2 weeks & that's a record for someone who use to pick every single day!

[e]

this sounds like a very healthy new behavior, not a sick one! good luck with it!!

[Hanna]

Thanks e,
I will still occasionally start feeling on my face with my bare fingers, unconsciously, & then have to put that extra effort towards making myself stop once I become aware of what I'm doing, but so far having my velvet scap around has helped me to cut out on a lot of face picks during my worst times for it.
The funny thing is I never unconsciously put my hands on my face when my make-up is on. I tried wearing my make-up 24/7 before, but I felt like it was contributing to some breakouts, so I stopped doing that.
From what I've been reading this picking problem seems to effect everyone in different degree's. It would be nice if there were just one cure out there that could help all of us...I'm also currently trying to alter my body chemistry through a high antioxidant/ essential fatty acid diet. I know all of this face picking is related to OCD & anxiety & depression, but I am really against drugs for treatment. I use to work in a medical facility & I've seen the terrible side effects of drugs.
I'll try this diet plan for awhile & if I feel it helped me to stop the habitual face touching I may post it up later.
Take care e!